Department for Transport

High Speed 2 Railway Line

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how long they expect journey times to be for HS2 trains between London and (1) Crewe, (2) Edinburgh, and (3) Glasgow, when Phases 1 and 2A are completed, compared with the present Pendolino services, and whether they have estimated the time saving that would be gained if the HS2 trains incorporated a tilting mechanism and so could be used on the West Coast Main Line North of Crewe; and if so, what is that time saving.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 March 2017.The correct answer should have been:

The proposed HS2 rolling stock tender specification does not preclude a bidder offering a tilting train solution. However, no tilting trains currently operate faster than 250km/h. HS2 Ltd assumes that tilting rolling stock could achieve a maximum operating speed on the high speed network of 300km/h rather than 360km/h for non-tilting rolling stock. This lower maximum operating speed would increase journey times on the dedicated HS2 network and could reduce network capacity. HS2 Ltd has assumed a number of minor line speed improvements on the northern West Coast Main Line for non-tilting rolling stock. HS2 will not serve Edinburgh until Phase 2B opens. Existing and projected estimated journey times from London Euston are as follows:  Crewe  Glasgow WCML Pendolino 1hr304hr17 Phase 1 non-tilt1h08  4h00 Phase 1 tiltApprox 1hr11  Approx 4h00 Phase 2A non-tilt 0h55 3h48 Phase 2A tilt Approx1h01 Approx 3h51CreweGlasgowWCML Pendolino1h304h17Phase 1 non-tilt1h084h00Phase 1 tiltApprox 1h11Approx 4h00Phase 2A non-tilt0h553h48Phase 2A tiltApprox 1h01Approx 3h51

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The proposed HS2 rolling stock tender specification does not preclude a bidder offering a tilting train solution. However, no tilting trains currently operate faster than 250km/h. HS2 Ltd assumes that tilting rolling stock could achieve a maximum operating speed on the high speed network of 300km/h rather than 360km/h for non-tilting rolling stock. This lower maximum operating speed would increase journey times on the dedicated HS2 network and could reduce network capacity. HS2 Ltd has assumed a number of minor line speed improvements on the northern West Coast Main Line for non-tilting rolling stock. HS2 will not serve Edinburgh until Phase 2B opens. Existing and projected estimated journey times from London Euston are as follows:  Crewe  Glasgow WCML Pendolino 1hr304hr17 Phase 1 non-tilt1h08  4h00 Phase 1 tiltApprox 1hr11  Approx 4h00 Phase 2A non-tilt 0h55 3h48 Phase 2A tilt Approx1h01 Approx 3h51CreweGlasgowWCML Pendolino1h304h17Phase 1 non-tilt1h084h00Phase 1 tiltApprox 1h11Approx 4h00Phase 2A non-tilt0h553h48Phase 2A tiltApprox 1h01Approx 3h51

Level Crossings

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to bring forward legislative proposals related to the recommendations of the Law Commission’s report on level crossings, published in September 2013.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: It remains our intention to reform the legislation on level crossings as soon as the Parliamentary timetable allows. In the meantime, we are in discussion with the Office of Rail and Road on how the current arrangements for approving works at level crossings can be streamlined and improved. We expect to be in a position to report on these shortly.

Department for Communities and Local Government

World War II: Genocide

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the extent and duration of public consultation prior to the decision to site the National Holocaust Memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens; and what was the cost of that consultation.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: A nationwide public consultation was conducted in 2014 by the Prime Minister's Holocaust Commission, which received almost 2500 responses. The resulting recommendation to establish a new National Memorial to the Holocaust with a co-located education centre, prominently located in central London, was welcomed by all main political parties. The costs of this exercise were not recorded separately.The cross-party United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Foundation, which advises Government in taking these recommendations forward, then, over an 18 month period, conducted a search of London for the best possible site for such an important project. More than fifty sites were considered and the Foundation found that by far the most fitting, prominent and powerful location for the new memorial and education centre was alongside parliament in Victoria Tower Gardens, a site owned by Government.The Foundation is now consulting with local residents, as well as members of the public all around the United Kingdom, on the choice of design team to take the project forward. As with all developments, the project will be subject to the full democratic planning process and all the appropriate consultations.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Fire Prevention: Furniture

the countess of mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government,further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 22 February (HL5402), whether, in the light of the fact that the European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) represents more than 70 per cent of all furniture production in Europe, they will respond specifically to the EFIC on the points made in their letter of 10 November 2016.

lord prior of brampton: The European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) requested that their letter dated 10th November be considered as part of their formal response to the 2016 consultation on the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The Department is therefore considering the points raised by EFIC in the letter as part of the consultation analysis and will respond as part of the formal Government response, which I expect to be published in the spring.

Employment: Racial Discrimination

lord lester of herne hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 28 February (GC 207), what criteria will be used to monitor whether sufficient progress is made in giving effect to the recommendations by Baroness McGregor-Smith in her report Race in the workplace to eliminate racial discrimination in employment.

lord prior of brampton: The Government welcomes Baroness McGregor-Smith’s report and encourages businesses to take forward her recommendations. The practicalities of implementation will differ depending on the business in question, but as we set out in the Government response, we will be working with Business in the Community in supporting companies to make these changes. My hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility has also announced that she will chair a new Business Diversity and Inclusion Group which will bring together some of the key figures leading work on this agenda to provide strategic leadership and ensure that we deliver a clear and coherent message to the business community on what they are expected to do.

Employment: Racial Discrimination

lord lester of herne hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take in response to the recommendations by Baroness McGregor-Smith in her report Race in the workplace to eliminate racial discrimination in the workplace.

lord prior of brampton: The business case for action has been made. While we know that many companies are already taking forward some of the recommended actions, more needs to be done. We set out in the Government response that we will be working with Business in the Community in supporting companies to make these changes including developing a simple guide on how to discuss race in the workplace, ensuring easy access to an online portal of best practice and celebrating success through a list of the top 100 BME employers. We will also monitor progress through the new Diversity and Inclusion Group, chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility.

Attorney General

Prisoners: Death

lord knight of weymouth: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cases under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 have been actively considered by the Crown Prosecution Service since 2011 in respect of a death or deaths in custody.

lord keen of elie: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold data on the number of cases it has considered for a charge of corporate manslaughter in respect of a death or deaths in custody. CPS information systems do not allow for cases involving deaths in custody to be dis-aggregated from the tally of cases in which corporate manslaughter was considered.

Prisoners: Death

lord knight of weymouth: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prosecutions the Crown Prosecution Service has brought under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 in respect of a death or deaths in custody.

lord keen of elie: There have been no cases to date in which the CPS has brought charges under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 in respect of a death or deaths in custody.

Department for International Development

Iraq: Humanitarian Aid

the lord bishop of coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 20 February (HL5245), what steps they are taking to encourage faith-based organisations in Iraq to access UK funding through the UN-managed Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund.

lord bates: UK officials in Iraq regularly meet with humanitarian organisations and direct them towards the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund (IHPF) to access funding. DFID does not differentiate in its approach between faith-based organisations and secular organisations, and supports the approach of the IHPF to provide funding to those best placed to provide assistance to those most in need. DFID officials in London meet quarterly with a working group of non-governmental organisation representatives to discuss Iraq, including many from faith-based organisations. The discussions regularly cover any concerns or questions that organisations have about access to IHPF funding.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Dormant Assets Commission

lord blunkett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Dormant Assets Commission will publish its report.

baroness buscombe: The attached Dormant Assets Commission Report was published on Friday 3 March. 



Dormant Assets Commission Report 3rd March 2017
(PDF Document, 785.11 KB)

Dormant Assets Commission

lord blunkett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Dormant Assets Commission last met; when it is due to meet again; which stakeholders the Commission has consulted; and what is the scale and scope of the Commission’s investigation.

baroness buscombe: The independent Commission on Dormant Assets’ final meeting was held on 1st December 2016. The Commission published its report on 3 March 2017 and is not scheduled to meet again. The Commission met a wide range of stakeholders, convened industry working groups and ran a call for evidence sent to around 200 organisations.The Commission worked to Government-agreed Terms of Reference, to provide expert, independent and impartial advice and evidence on:which dormant assets can be brought into an expanded dormant asset scheme, and how they can be identified by industry;the projected size of the funding pot this could produce for good causes;whether, with the potential increase of dormant assets being released by industry, the current system is able to manage the burden; andwhether any new legislation should include a requirement for improved transparency from industry on disclosing the level of assets within their sector

Dormant Assets Commission

lord blunkett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial resources, including salaries, have been made available to establish and run the Dormant Assets Commission.

baroness buscombe: Membership of the Dormant Assets Commission was an unpaid appointment with the Chair and the nine Commissioners not receiving salaries for their roles. Incidental travelling expenses were reimbursed to the Chair and the Commissioners if requested.

Social Enterprises

baroness smith of basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of people employed by social enterprises in each year since 2010.

baroness buscombe: The attached “Social Enterprise: Market Trends 2014” report found that the social enterprise sector employed roughly 2.27 million people in 2014. Estimated employment had increased by approximately 300,000 since 2012, when data were last collected. Data for 2016 are being collated and reviewed and will be published later this year.



Social Enterprise: Market Trends 2014 report
(PDF Document, 1.33 MB)

Social Investment Advisory Group

baroness smith of basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 10 January (HL Deb, col 1857), who is on the advisory group set up to open social investment products to individuals, how frequently will the group meet, when was the group’s first meeting, and what are its terms of reference.

baroness buscombe: The advisory group is chaired by Elizabeth Corley, VC Allianz Global Investors, and is made up of senior industry representatives from across the savings and investment sectors, with a balance of CEO’s, senior practitioners and product experts. A full list of organisations that are involved can be found at Annex A.The group’s first meeting was on the 18th January and will meet four more times before July, when the group will announce their initial recommendations to government and industry. The three working groups, that have been set up to look at specific issues around Product, Distribution and Customer Engagement, will meet more frequently. Terms of reference can be found at Annex BAnnex A – List of organisations involved in the advisory groupThe advisory group is split into:(a) An advisory committee acting as a high-level sounding board(b) A steering group which shapes the work(c) Three working groups looking in-depth at specific issues around Product, Distribution and Customer EngagementThe Chair of the advisory group (which encompasses all of the above) is Elizabeth Corley, VC Allianz Global Investors, and it currently has representation from the following firms (subject to change/additions):Aberdeen Asset ManagementAlbion VenturesArchitasAxa Investment ManagersBarclaysBig Issue InvestBig Society CapitalBlackrockBridges VenturesCentapseCFA Society UKCity of London Social Investment BoardClearlySoColumbia ThreadneedleEsmee Fairbairn FoundationFCA (Financial Conduct Authority)FRC (Financial Reporting Council)Grant ThorntonHargreaves LansdownHenderson Global InvestorsHermes Investment ManagementHSBCInvescoInvestment AssociationLegal & General Investment ManagementLloyds BankM&S BankMercerNEST (National Employment Savings Trust)New Philanthropy CapitalNutmegPLSA (Pensions & Lifetime Savings Association)Social FinanceSt James PlaceStandard LifeSquaremileTriodosTrust for LondonUBSUK National Advisory Board on Impact InvestingVirgin MoneyWorthstone Annex B: Terms of ReferenceADVISORY GROUP TO GOVERNMENT:CREATING A CULTURE OF SOCIAL IMPACT INVESTMENT AND SAVINGSENHANCING INDIVIDUAL CHOICESummary:How can the savings, pensions and investment industries, with the support of government, engage with individual investors to enable them to support more easily the things they care about through their savings and investment choices?Detail:The advisory group has been formed at the request of the Minister for Civil Society and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.It has been created to discuss how the savings, pensions and investment industries, with the support of government, can engage with individual investors to enable them to support more easily the things they care about through their savings and investment choices, whether through retail options or in collective schemes.The aims of the advisory group are to:1. Explore barriers to the development of products with social impact components2. Explore barriers to the demand for and distribution of such products3. Consider who is best placed to identify and implement solutions4. Consider how existing best practice, regulatory incentives and further measures can reduce or remove barriers5. Develop ideas for how best to explain social impact savings and investment choices to individuals and to provide feedback on impact to any fiduciaries and advisors involved6. Discuss timescales for solutions, including possible next steps for any longer-term work to be taken forward beyond the advisory group.Elizabeth Corley, Vice Chair of Allianz Global Investors (and previously CEO) has been asked to Chair the group. The group has been asked to make an initial report to the Minister for Civil Society and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in Summer 2017.Conclusions and recommendations are those of the group, but may not represent any individual member’s view. Any decisions on government policy rest with the ministers of the day.

Social Enterprises: Offenders

lord watts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 10 January (HL Deb, col 1856), what steps they are taking to enable more private, local authority and charity investment in social enterprises which support or employ ex-prisoners.

baroness buscombe: Charities and social enterprises play an important role in the government’s mission of building an economy that works for everyone. The government is building on its role as a world leader in soc`ial enterprise by championing procurement for social value, supporting social enterprise awareness campaigns, building the social investment market, using social enterprises to address issues at scale and expanding the social investment tax relief.

Department for Work and Pensions

Mesothelioma: Compensation

lord wills: To ask Her Majesty’s Government for each year since the passing of the Mesothelioma Act 2014 (1) how much was raised through the provision in the Act to impose a levy on employers' insurers to provide compensation to sufferers from mesothelioma, (2) how much of that sum was paid out in compensation to sufferers from mesothelioma, and (3) what happened to any difference between the sum raised through the levy and the amount paid out in compensation.

lord henley: A full report on the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS), including details on how the levy is estimated can be found in the Annual Reviewhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/diffuse-mesothelioma-payment-scheme-annual-review-2015-to-2016 1) The amount of the levy raised through the provision of Mesothelioma Act 2014 in respect of the DMPS is:2014/15 = £32m2015/16 = £23.2m2016/17 = £40.4m (Eligible insurers notified January 2017) 2) In 2014/15 a total of 24.2m was paid to successful applicants. In 2015/16 a total of £29.7m was paid to successful applicants. 2016/17 is not yet calculated. 3) The difference between the sum raised through the levy and the amount paid out to applicants in compensation is used in one of the following ways:To repay as compensation recoveries (the amount is determined by the Department’s Compensation Recovery Unit);To pay a scheme administrator;Any balance is accounted for as either an under or over levy for successive year’s estimated levy amount.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Fisheries

lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what arrangements vessels of other EU member states fish in UK waters between the six and 12 nautical mile limits; and by what process those arrangements could be terminated.

lord gardiner of kimble: Under Article 5 (2) of Council Regulation 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, and the 1964 London Fisheries Convention, vessels from Belgium, Germany, France, Netherlands, Denmark and the Republic of Ireland have access to fish in the UK’s six to twelve nautical mile zone. In order to withdraw from the London Convention signatories must give two years notice

Fisheries

lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what arrangements vessels of other EU member states fish in the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone between the 12 and 200 nautical mile limits; and by what process those arrangements could be terminated.

lord gardiner of kimble: Under the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy regime vessels from EU Member States have access to fisheries in the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between the 12 and 200 nautical mile limit. When it leaves the EU, the UK will control access to fisheries in its EEZ and will manage its waters in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Dangerous Dogs

lord redesdale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are planning to make provision for the introduction of national or local standards to regulate the re-homing of dogs which could pose a risk to their new owners.

lord redesdale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are planning to make provision for the introduction of national or local standards to oblige dog re-homing centres to make owners aware of any previous history of attacks on humans or other dogs by any dog being considered for re-homing.

lord gardiner of kimble: Many dog rehoming centres are members of the Association for Dogs & Cats Homes (ADCH) which has minimum standards in regard to the responsible re-homing of dogs and cats. The Government has no proposals to introduce additional obligatory regulatory standards. I would encourage anyone thinking of acquiring a dog from a re-homing centre to approach a member of the ADCH first.

Fruit and Vegetables: Prices

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is monitoring the price of food supplies, particularly fruit and vegetables.

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent price increases in fruit and vegetables, in the light of shortages brought about as a result of climatic conditions.

lord gardiner of kimble: Commodity prices, exchange rates and oil prices have been observed to be the most important drivers of retail food price inflation. Implicit in commodity prices are short term weather conditions and longer term climatic changes. We monitor food prices using the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). Food prices rose by 0.2 per cent in the month to January 2017. Year on year, food prices have continued to fall with an annual rate of inflation of -0.5 per cent in the year to January 2017, according to the most recent official figures released on 14th February 2017. Food and non-alcoholic beverages account for around ten per cent of the overall CPI, of which vegetables account for 1.3 per cent and fruit 0.9 per cent. The recent salad vegetable shortages caused by severe weather in southern Europe affected a relatively small number of items. This event is unlikely to have a significant impact on food prices overall.

Environment Protection

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 2 February (HL Deb, col 1277), whether they intend to introduce new environmental protection legislation.

lord gardiner of kimble: The Prime Minister announced last year our plans for a Great Repeal Bill that will convert current EU law, including environmental law, into domestic UK law. Our intention is to ensure a smooth and orderly transition via the Repeal Bill and retain legislation that protects our environment. Any future changes in the law will be subject to full scrutiny and Parliamentary debate.

Home Office

Refugees: Children

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to respond to the statement by the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, published on 22 February, concerning the protection of unaccompanied child refugees against modern slavery and other forms of exploitation.

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to respond to the recommendations made by the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner on 22 February, on (1) safe refuge for child refugees under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016; (2) safe refuge for child refugees under the Dublin III Regulation; (3) working with partners to improve protections in Europe; and (4) working to address the root causes of trafficking at source.

baroness williams of trafford: We note the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s statement and welcome the focus on the UK’s wider support for vulnerable refugee children and efforts to prevent human trafficking at source. We will continue to engage closely with the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner on these issues.On 8 February, the Government announced that we will transfer the specified number of 350 children to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act. This number has been agreed following consultation with local authorities on their capacity to accommodate and care for unaccompanied children. We will announce in due course the basis on which further children will be transferred from Europe to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act to the specified number.The Government is fully committed to the timely and efficient operation of the Dublin Regulation and supports the principle of family reunification. We are working closely with EU Member States to improve the Dublin process. We have secondees in France, Greece and Italy who are supporting work on Dublin and section 67.The UK has established the £10 million Refugee Children’s Fund which is providing targeted support to meet the specific needs of unaccompanied and separated children migrating through Greece and other transit countries. The fund is providing additional and improved safe accommodation spaces for children, with 24hr care and specialist support. The fund also provides specialist training for officials and volunteers as well as legal support and advice.We are working internationally to help prevent vulnerable people from becoming victims. The Prime Minister pledged £33.5m of official development assistance funding, to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice by working in partnership with key countries. The PM Taskforce is also making progress bringing the collective weight of Government to bear. We are already seeing progress in intelligence gathering and are developing our international strategy to tackle the threat overseas and deepen law enforcement cooperation. This will enable us to investigate, prosecute and otherwise disrupt the activity of slave-drivers and traffickers of human beings. We also work closely with Europol and Eurojust to facilitate cross-border operations and joint investigations with European law enforcement agencies.

HM Treasury

Money Laundering

lord wills: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 20 February (HL5284), what assessment they have made of the impact of HM Revenue and Customs enforcement actions in relation to money laundering.

baroness neville-rolfe: Tackling money laundering is a UK-wide issue and receives a cross-Government response. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) supervises specific sectors, and investigates high risk activity, in close collaboration with other supervisors and law enforcement agencies. Effectiveness is best assessed in the round. The latest UK national risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing is published on gov.uk[1]. The assessment factors in information about the impact of anti-money laundering activities, including contributions from across HMRC and other organisations.  [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/468210/UK_NRA_October_2015_final_web.pdf 



The latest UK national risk assessment of money la
(PDF Document, 1.42 MB)

European Parliament Members: Per Capita Costs

lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average cost to the British taxpayer, including salary and expenses but excluding building maintenance costs, of a UK Member of the European Parliament.

baroness neville-rolfe: The terms and conditions of MEPs are set out in the Statute for Members of the European Parliament. As of July 2016 the gross monthly salary of an MEP is €8,484.05. MEPs are also entitled to a monthly €4,342 general expenditure allowance covering staff and office costs, and allowances for travel and subsistence. As the government contributes to the EU budget as a whole and not to individual programmes or institutions, it is not possible to say how much this costs the British taxpayer.

Cabinet Office

Schools: Electoral Register

baroness smith of basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government (1) how many, and (2) what proportion of, schools in the UK work in partnership with electoral registration offices.

lord young of cookham: The Government does not hold this data. Responsibility for such partnerships rests with local Electoral Registration Officer’s.

Electoral Register: Students

baroness smith of basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Young of Cookham on 25 January (HL Deb, col 661), when they will publish analysis of the voter registration initiative trialled at Sheffield University; and what criteria will be used to determine the success of the initiative.

lord young of cookham: The Government is currently evaluating the initiative trialled at the University of Sheffield and will be publishing its findings in due course.